# a little learning is a dangerous thing

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/a-little-learning-is-a-dangerous-thing
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

People who don't understand something fully are dangerous

## Examples

- He thinks he is a doctor, but a little learning is a dangerous thing.
- After watching one video, he tried to fix the electrical wires, forgetting that a little learning is a dangerous thing.
- The manager warned the new staff that a little learning is a dangerous thing, especially when handling complex legal documents without proper training.

## Origin

From Alexander Pope's An Essay on Criticism (1711); often misquoted as 'a little knowledge'. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.